635 
} 168 
>y 1 



PRICE 15 CENTS 



a 



CHRISTMAS AT 
STEBBINSES' 




BECKLEY- QRDY COMPANY 

Chicago 



BEST BOOKS AND HELPS FOR TEACHERS 

« OF ALL GRADES 

Morning Exercises for All the Year. By Joseph C. Sindelar, author 
of the "Nixie Bunny" books, etc. Contains over 300 exercises, 
arranged day by day, there being an exercise for each morning 
of the ten school months, beginning with the first day in Sep- 
tember and ending with the last day in June. 252 large pages. 
Cloth. Price, 60 cents. 

Language Games for All Grades. By Alhambra G. Deming, Princi- 
pal Washington School, Winona, Minn. Designed to establish 
the habit of correct speech and to increase the child's vocabulary. 
90 pages. Cloth. Price (with 53 cards for pupils* use), 65 cents. 

Easy Things to Draw. By D. R. Augsburg. A teacher's handbook, 
with 203 simple drawings for reproducing on the blackboard. 
77 large pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents. 

Simplex Class Record. The most convenient, compact and practical 
teacher's class book published. Provides space for 433 names. 
76 pages, ruled in three colors. Size, 4^4x7^ inches. Cloth. 
Price, 30 cents. 

Simplex Seat Plan. A simple card and pocket device for keeping a 
correct list of the pupils for easy reference. Size, 6x9 inches. 
Cloth. Price (with 100 cards), 35 cents. 

District-School Dialogues. By Marie Irish. A collection of twenty- 
five new, humorous dialogues for children of all ages. 160 pages. 
Paper. Price, 30 cents. 

The Best Christmas Book. By Joseph C. Sindelar. Dialogues, reci- 
tations, songs, drills, pantomimes, tableaux, etc., for Christmas 
entertainment. 192 pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents. 

Best Memory Gems. Selected and edited by Joseph C. Sindelar. Con- 
tains 400 of the choicest gems culled from the best in litera- 
ture, and indexed by authors, by first lines, and by sentiment. 
For primary, intermediate and grammar grades. 64 pages. 
Paper. Price, 15 cents. 

Best Primary Recitations. By Winifred A. Hoag. Over 200 original 

recitations for first and second grades. 88 pages. Paper. Price, 

15 cents. . I 
• • • 

Best Primary Sonje? By Amos M. Kellogg. Nearly sixty songs for 

primary ana* ungraded schools. 48 large pages. Paper. Price, 

15 cents. 

Merry Melodies. By S. C. Hanson. A book of school songs. Over 
one-half million copies already sold. 64 large pages. Paper, 
Price, 15 cents. 

128-page illustrated Catalogue of Books mailed upon request 
BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY Publishers CHICAGO 



CHRISTMAS AT 
STEBBINSES' 

By MARIE IRISH 

Author of "Susan Gregg's Christmas Orphans" 




Im 



BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY 
Chicago 









Copyright, 1916, by 
BECKLEY-CAKDY COMPANY 



DEC 26 1916 



©CID 45900 

"Wo I 



CHAEACTERS 

Mr. Raymond A Well-to-do Business Man of the City 

]\Irs. Raymond His Wife — a Society Woman ivho does 

not ^'believe in" Christmas 

Mr. Stebbins A Genial Farmer 

Mrs. Stebbins His Big-hearted Wife 

Grandma Stebbins. His Old Mother 

f Children of Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins 

Tom ) 

Joe An Orphan who lives with the Stebbins Family 

(As small a boy as can be procured to learn the part) 

Jake Jarley The Hired Man 

Mary The ''Help'' 



[3J 



COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP 

Mr. Raymond : Neat business suit. 

Mrs. Raymond: Stylish traveling suit; hair modishly ar- 
ranged ; jewelry. 

Mr. Stebbins : Dark shirt, overalls ; chin whiskers. 

Mrs. Stebbins : Neat, plain house dress. 

Grandma Stebbins: Dark dress, white apron and kerchief; 
white hair. 

Hettie and Tom : Ordinary every-day clothes. 

Joe : Calico waist, knee breeches. 

Jake: Overalls, boots, bright-colored shirt; handkerchief 
knotted about neck. 

Mary : Gingham or calico dress, large work apron ; large bow 
of ribbon on hair. 

STAGE PROPERTIES AND ARRANGEMENT 

Small table covered with bright-colored cloth; lamp with 
bright-colored shade; candle in candlestick; vase filled with 
paper flowers ; one or two old-fashioned pictures on walls ; sev- 
eral plain chairs and two rockers. 

Leave a space on the wall where the stockings can be hung, 
if no fireplace can be arranged. At the back of the stage hang 
a long pair of curtains, as though before a window. 



[4] 



CHRISTMAS AT THE STEBBINSES' 

ACT I 

The Afternoon Before Christmas 

Scene : Sitting-room of Stebhins family 

Discovered Mr. and Mrs. Raymond, just turning away from 

window. 

Mr. Raymond [dejectedly]. I think we shall have to make the 
best of the situation and remain here at least over night. 

Mrs. Raymond [shivering]. Horrible! Stranded in such a 
place [looks about scornfully] with these country people! 
Can't we get to the nearest town, to a hotel? 

Mr. Raymond. Impossible, my dear! [Wanders to window 
and bach to center stage.] Even if our automobile had 
a snowplow attached to the front of it, the storm is too 
bad for us to venture out in. The farmer won't take 
one of his teams out : even the bill I showed him did n 't 
tempt him. [Pauses and stands^ with hands in pockets, 
looking depressed.] 

Mrs. Raymond [pacing up and down in an agitated manner]. 
How exceedingly annoying! A fine prospect, indeed! 
Shut up in this place over Christmas Day — I 'd as soon be 
in a jail [wrings hands] ! Why didn't we go by rail 
instead of in the automobile ? [Pauses before him.] Why 
didn't you buy an airship last summer as I begged you 
to? We might have reached home then. 

Mr. Raymond [laughing]. Had we been sailing through the 
heavens when this storm came on, our airship would have 
dropped us suddenly to earth to rest in a snowbank — a 

[5] 



6 CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

chilling situation, to say the least ! I think I like it better 
here. [Strolls about ro'om.] 

Mrs. Raymond [impatiently]. Oh, you probably will enjoy 
this farm and these country people! They will be sure 
to have a Christmas tree or hang up their stockings — how 
boring ! 

Mr. Raymond. Oh, come now, Laura! Make the best of it! 
Christmas here won 't be as interesting as your Browning 
class, or a meeting of your Civic Welfare Society, but it 
won't be unbearable. Have a little Christmas spirit! — 
I 'm going to see if I can find a paper to read. [Exit.] 

Mrs. Raymond [indignantly]. Christmas spirit! He knows 
I never have time for this Christmas nonsense. I 'm 
as fond of Christmas as — 

Enter Grandma Stebbins. 

Grandma. So 'm I fond o' Christmas! I 'm awful glad you 
like it, 'cause I want ter ask ye somethin ' ; only it 's a 
secret and ye mustn't tell. Jes' set down in the rocker 
an' I '11 tell ye 'bout it. [They sit down, Grandma 
eagerly drawing her chair close to that of Mrs. Raymond, 
who looks much bored.] I 'm makin' some fancy holders 
fer my daughter 'nlaw fer a Christmas present — some ter 
use when comp'ny 's here, sort o' trimmed up, ye know 
— an' I got some ribbon fer 'em, ter bind 'em roun' the 
edges an' make a little bow, ye know, but I dunno 
whether ter put the red ribbon on the red one an' the 
blue ribbon on the blue one, er ter put the red ribbon on 
the blue one an ' the blue ribbon on the red one. I knowed 
you wuz awful stylish soon 's I set eyes on ye, an' bein' 
as yer from the city, ye kin tell me which is up-to- 
dater. I want 'em jes' right, seein' ez they 're fer a 
Christmas present. [Anxioiisly] Shell I put red on red 
an ' blue on blue ; er red on blue an ' blue on red ? I 'm 
nigh worried ter death tryin ' ter make up my mind ! 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 7 

Mrs. Raymond [aside, scornfully]. The simple old thing is 
as much in earnest over it as I should be over some social 
problem or question of civic welfare! [To Grandma, 
coldly] Why, really, I think that — it would seem to me 
that — [Aside, iinpatiently] Goodness! I don't know 
whether blue should go on blue, or blue on red! [To 
Grandma] Really, I think perhaps your daughter would 
like red on the blue and blue on the red. It would be a 
pretty contrast. [Aside, scornfidly] That probably will 
suit her taste ! 

Grandma [happily] . Thet 's jes' whut I thought ! They look 
so sort o ' bright an ' stylish with diff 'rent colors. [Bisi^ig] 
Wal, I mus' go finish 'em. They 's an awful lot ter do 
jes' the las' minute; but Christmas is sech a beautiful 
time we don't mind it. I 've lived more 'n seventy years 
an' I like Christmas jes' ez well ez ever. We 're awful 
glad yer goin' ter be here fer Christmas. Ye '11 sort o' 
take the place o' Cousin Henry Bing's folks whut could n 't 
come. [Exit.] 

Mrs. Raymond [sighing dolefully]. Of all the terrible Christ- 
mas days I have ever spent this will be the worst. [Sar- 
castically] This lovely place! 

Enter Mr. Stebbins quickly, pausing near her. 

Mr. Stebbins. Sho, ef ye think it 's a lovely place now, ye 
oughter see it in summer, when the grass is green an' the 
trees is all leafed, an' the little chickens is runnin' round, 
an' the roses an' pi-nies an' snapdragon is in blossom. I 
dunno 's I 'd reelly call it lovely, but it suits me purty 
well. But the mos ' important thing in a storm like this 'n 
is ter hev plenty o ' wood an ' I reckon I got cords 'nuff o ' 
thet sawed up ter heat Rickyfiller 's mansion from now till 
spring — I hev, by gum ! I alius did like a white Christ- 
mas. But the snow 's pilin' up a leetle mite too fast jes' 
now ; we '11 be snowed in by mornin '. Lucky thing ye 



8 CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

stopped here an' we 're glad ter hev ye with us. I alius 
did like Christmas comp'ny, by heck! You jes' make 
yerself right ter home, ma 'am. 

Mrs. Raymond [coldly]. You are very kind. 

Mr. Stebbins [heartily]. Kind nothin'! We're glad yer 
here an' we got lots ter eat an' a good bed fer yer ter 
sleep in thet's got a bigger feather nest on it then I bet 
ye ever seed in the city, honest ter goodness ! 

Mrs. Raymond [emphatically]. Oh, 1 7iever sleep on feathers 
— I don't believe in it! 

Mr. Stebbins. Mebbe ye think they ain 't sunnytary, er whut- 
ever the papers calls it; but those geese takes reg'lar baths 
in Turtle Pond an' suns 'emselves all summer; an' the 
wimmin folks picks 'em by hand; an' they ain't no 
mickeyrobes in 'em, by gum! Don't ye be 'fraid of 'em, 
ma'am. Ye '11 sleep so fine on 'em ye '11 think yer on 
one o' them flow'ry beds o' ease the singin' book tells 
'bout. — But say, ma'am, bein' yer frum the city — an' I 
seed from yer togs thet yer purty swell — I wanter ask ye 
somethin', sort o' a favor like. I bought some [looks 
around care f idly, to see no one is liste^iing] stuff ter make 
my wife a dress — silk, too, by heck ! — an ' I 'm goin ' ter 
give it to 'er fer a Christmas present. Awful purty stuff 
— sort o' blue, with some red an' yaller in it, an' guess 
they 's some green, too. It took half o' what old Brindle's 
spotted calf brought ter pay fer it; but sho, I didn't be- 
grudge the money! Tildy, she sort o' wanted a black 
silk, but I made up my min' she 's goin' ter hev somethin' 
with some style an' I want you, ma'am, to tell 'er after 
she gits it out'n her stockin' to-morrow momin' jes' how 
ter hev it made so 's it '11 look like city clo'es. I want it 
swell, by jimminy ! 

Mrs. Raymond [with more graciousness than hefore], I cer- 
tainly am willing to help her plan it. [Aside] Red and 
blue and green and yellow ! She will look like a rainbow. 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 9 

Mr. Stebbins. Thank ye, ma'am. An' ef she wants any gew- 
gaws er fixin 's ter trim it up with, she 's goin ' ter hev 'em 
ef it takes the rest o' old Brinclle's spotted calf. I want it 
somethin' swell. But don't ye let on I said nothin'! 
[Exit.] 

]\Irs. Raymond [yawning]. What a bore they are, with all 
their fuss over Christmas presents and — 

Filter Mary and stands near her. 

Mary. Oh, now, ma'am, don't worry 'bout yer Christmas 
presents! Those yer friends hez fer ye will keep till ye 
git home, an' like ez not yer husban' 's got some jewls — 
mebbe a diamond tirary — ready ter give ye in the mornin '. 
An' I bet Santy Claus '11 find yer stockin', even out here 
in the country, so don't ye worry no more ! — An', ma'am, 
I wanter ask ye somethin', seein' yer frum the city an' 
up-ter-date on all the swellest idees. I hope ye '11 excuse 
me, but I can't decide by myself. Ye see, I 've made two 
neckties ter give fer presents. One is blue with yellow 
dots an' the other is red an' green striped an' I don't 
know which er tother ter give ter my — ter — ter the feller 
thet — well, he ain't my feller, but he 's alius tryin' to he 
sort o' sweet ter me. 'Course I ain't goin' ter take up 
with 'im. My sister married a p'liceman an' lives in 
style in Chicago, an' I don't care 'bout a country feller, 
but I wanter give him the purtiest tie. Which ye s'pose 
he 'd like best? 

Mrs. Raymond [looking amused]. That would depend on 
whether he is light or dark or has red hair or — 

Mary. Well, I '11 tell ye; but don't ye breathe a word to a 
livin' soul, ma'am! It 's thet Jake Jarley ez stays here. 
You '11 see him 'fore long, 'cause it 's so stormy he 's set- 
tin' in the kitchen. He 's got a reel good heart, ef he is 
homely, but 'course I ain't goin' ter let 'im git serious. 



10 CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

'T ain't serious ter give 'im a red an* green tie, is it, 
ma 'am ? 

Mrs. Raymond [smiling]. I hope it won't have a serious 
effect. If he is strong he ought to be able to stand the 
colors. 

Mary [seriously]. Yes, the colors is lovely! Ef it ain't too 
much ter ask, won 't ye please give 'im the look over after 
a while an' tell me which tie ye think '11 suit 'im best? 
Ain't Christmas a lovely time? I can't hardly wait till 
ter-morrer mornin' ter see whut Jake — I mean — whut 
presents I git. Lan' sakes, I mus' git back ter my work! 
[Starts for door, then pauses.] 'Course I don't care 'bout 
Jake Jarley, but I 'd like ter give 'im the tie ez suits 'im 
best. [Exit.] 

Mrs. Raymond [risi7ig impatiently and walking about]. To 
think I must listen to all this nonsense about Christmas, 
when I don't believe in Christmas or in giving Christ- 
mas presents, or in all this sentiment about the Christmas 
spirit ! I wonder if they '11 insist on my hanging up my 
stocking! [Sinks into chair again.] 

Enter Jake and pauses near her, 

Jake [reassuringly]. Wal, now, ma'am, don't ye worry 'bout 
yer stockin'! Ef ye don't wanter hang up yourn 'cause 
it 's got a. hole in, er somethin', while yer off vis 'tin', I '11 
jes' fix ye out. The folks here hez been teasin' me 'bout 
my sock bein' too little ter hang up on Christmas Eve, 
an' the gals offered ter lend me a long un, but I fixed 'em ! 
I bought some bright caliker at the store las' week an' 
I sewed a piece outer the top o ' my sock, so I reckon it '11 
hold quite a load an' then some. I '11 fix one like it fer 
you, if yer stockin ' ain 't in trim. Got plenty caliker an ' 
I 'm real handy with a needle. 

Mrs. Raymond. Oh, no, no! thank you! I shan't need it. 

Jake. Ma'am, I 'd — I 'd like ter ask ye — somethin'. 



CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 11 

Mrs. Raymond [resignedly]. Certainly, if I can help you, I 

am willing. [Aside] Heavens! I seem to have become 

a Bureau of Christmas Information! 
Jake [sitting down bashfully on the edge of a chair]. I 

wanter ask ye — somethin'. 
Mrs. Haymo^d [kindly]. Yes? 
Jake [looking around cautiously]. Yer frum the city, I 

s'pose. 
Mrs. Raymond. Yes. 
Jake. I thought so. Yer dress looks so kinder — well, so 

sorter citified, an' yer shoes fit so snug, an' yer hair looks 

so — so swell. 
Mrs. Raymond. Yes? 
Jake. An ' I s 'pose in the city ye go ter them wimmin 's clubs 

the papers tells about an' all sorts er meetin's. 
Mrs. Raymond [smiling]. Oh, yes. 
Jake. I wonder now, ma'am, if ye ever tried yer hand at — 

at po'try. 
Mrs. Raymond [looking mystified]. Poultry? Why, no. I 

have never tried to raise chickens. 
Jake. Poultry! Who said anything 'bout raisin' chickens! 

I said po'try — this sorter writin' thet hez jinglin' words 

on the end o' the lines, like cat, rat, mat, hat, fat, scat. 

Like 

My gal an' me went fer a walk, 
An' we set down ter hev a talk. 

Mrs. Raymond [laughing]. Oh, I see! No, I am afraid I'm 
not a poet. 

Jake. Wal, I kin run a plow er husk corn with the best of 
'em, but hang-ding my boots ef I kin do much at writin' 
po'try! I wanter give a Christmas present to a young 
lady an' I got a awful big bottle er perfum^-ry. It 's 
called ' ' New-mown Hay. ' ' Did ye ever hear 'bout thet 
kind, ma'am? 

Mrs. Raymond. Oh, yes, I have heard of it. 



12 CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

Jake. Wal, I got thet kind 'cause I thought it 'd kinder re- 
mind 'er o' the times I 'd made eyes at 'er when she 'd 
bring us lunch out ter the hayfield. The man in the store 
said 't wuz swell stuff, all right, an ' I think ' ' New-mown 
Hay" sounds awful nice, no matter how it smells. Now 
I 'm tryin' ter write a few lines o' po'try ter go with it 
an' shucks ter goodness ef I ain't got stuck! 

Mrs. Raymond [wearily]. I'm afraid I can't help you. 
[Rises and walks about, Jake following.] 

Jake [pulling paper from pocket], I got this. [Reads in 
singsong voice.] 

Oh, damzell fair with lovely hair, 
Yer smile is bright an' yer all right; 
So fer a present on Christmas Day 
Ex-cept this bottle o' New-mown Hay, 
A merry Christmas Day be thine, — 

an ' now I can 't git the nex ' line. ' ' Hang up the holly an ' 
the pine," jingles all right, but it don't sound right. 
"May our hearts with love entwine," suits me all right, 
but it don't jes' go with the rest o' it. But what kin 
I say? 

Mrs. Raymond [with more interest]. Why can't you use a 
line ending with ' ' mine ' ' 1 

Jake [thoughtfulhj]. ''Mine"? "Mine"? "An' may ye 
some day soon be mine" — thet 's it, by ginger! [Reads 
all the lines aloud, adding the last.] Say, thet 's jes' fine ! 
I knew ye could help me, ma'am. [He takes her hand 
and shakes it awkwardly from side to side.] Thank ye 
kindly fer helpin' me! Paid three dollars fer thet per- 
fume-ry an' this pome 's worth three more — six dollars, 
by heck! [Exit.] 

Mrs. Raymond [laughing ruefully as she sits doivn again]. 
To think of spending Christmas with this family, admir- 
ing their dreadful gifts! How shall I ever stand it! I 
suppose they believe in Santa Glaus. 



CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 13 

Enter Joe. 

Joe. 'Course we b lieve in Santy Claus ! He 's a awful nice 
old man an' he brings presents ter the chil'ren whut 's 
good. Grandma knows lots o' stories 'bout Santy an' so 
does Jake. I told Jake I wanted Santy ter bring me a 
sled ter-morrer an ' he said he wuz goin ' ter send 'im word 
so 's he 'd sure bring it. Jake 's awful good. — Do ye 
know the story 'bout the Babe, ma'am? [Perches on 
chair near her.] 

Mrs. Raymond. What babe ? 

Joe. Wy, the Bethlehem Babe thet Grandma tells 'bout ! He 
come ter bring love ter the world an' blessin's ter poor 
folks, an ' bring Christmas spirit so 's folks 'd wanter 
make others happy an' think it 's more blessed to give 'n 
to receive. I s 'pose yer one o' the good Christmas spirits. 

Mrs. RxVYMond [a little impatiently]. What do you mean? 

Joe. Wy, ef I 's a lovely lady like you I 'd be one o ' the good 
Christmas spirits thet gives lots o' presents an' makes 
poor folks happy an' makes selfish people be kind an' 
lovin' 'cause o' the Bethlehem Babe. 

Mrs. Raymond [gravely]. No, I 'm not one of those spirits. 
[Aside] Dear me ! it is years since I tried to make any 
one happy at Christmas time ! I wonder if I could. 

Joe. I 'm goin' ter give some Christmas presents. Part of 
'em I made myself. I made a necktie holder fer Jake out 
o' some pine branches an' painted it with some red paint 
left frum the barn. Mary says it 's reel purty. You '11 
hang up yer stockin', won't ye? 

Mrs. Raymond [coldly]. I think not. 

Joe. Oh, please do ! They '11 be awful sorry ef ye don 't, 
'cause — 

Mrs. Raymond. Because of what? 

Joe. Don't tell I told ye, but the folks is goin' ter help Santy 
fill yer stocking ter-night so 's ye won 't feel lonesome 



14 CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

here. [Voice calls off stage.] Thet 's Hettie callin^ — 1 11 
hev to go. [Runs off.] 
Mrs. Raymond [very thought f idly]. I wonder if there is 
something in this Christmas spirit, after all. Have I 
been missing happiness all these years because I have 
not believed in Christmas sentiment? — These people cer- 
tainly have kind hearts. Perhaps Christmas won't be so 
bad here. I wonder how the storm is. [Goes to hack of 
stage and stands behind curtains as though looking out at 
window, hidden from view.] 

Enter Tom. 

Tom [looking around carefully] . Thank goodness, she 's 
gone ! Maw sent me in ter poke the fire an ' I wuz 'f raid 
she 'd — ^wal, I don't s'pose she 'd bite, but she mighter 
froze me up, she looks so sort o' frosty! No wonder this 
room is chilly. — I wonder if Sis '11 like this cameo pin I 
got fer 'er. [Takes box from pocket and looks at pin.] 
"Wisht I could make 'er think Sim Hawks sent it. 

Filter Hettie. 

Hettie. Where 's the lady ? 

Tom [thrusting box into pocket]. Guess she went upstairs. 
Don't seem ter be here. Ain't she an icicle? Wow! She 
thinks we 're rubes an' hayseeds. 

Hettie. Oh, I think she 's lovely ! You 'd be proud, too, ef 
ye was rich! 

Tom. Would n 't neither ! I 'd be common like Senator Den- 
ning — jolly the farmers' wives an' kiss all the kids. 

Hettie. Ye silly thing! — Say, Tom, whut wuz thet box ye 
hed in yer hand when I come in? 

Tom. Whut box? 

Hettie. Thet box ye hed in yer hand. 

Tom. Say, Miss Smarty, I guess I kin give a Christmas pres- 
ent ter one o ' my gal friends ef I please ter do so. Thet 's 
a secret. 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 15 

Hettie. Oh, ye mean thing, not ter tell me ! It 's thet horrid 
Nell Haskins y er goin ' to give it to, so ! 

Enter Mrs. Stebbins. 

Mrs. Stebbins, Where 's Miss Raymond ? 

Hettie. Tom says she 's gone upstairs. 

Mrs. Stebbins. Wal, Hettie, you find thet collar ye cro- 
cheted fer Aunt Minty. Ye can make another one fer 
yer aunt an' we 11 give this 'n to Miss Raymond. City 
folks alius likes sech crochet work an' ye did thet reel 
nice. I '11 give 'er some jelly — good ez she '11 git in the 
city — an' Grandma '11 give 'er some tattin'. We want 'er 
ter hev a merry Christmas, ef we 5e jes' country folks. I 
kin give 'er some pickles, too, an' some perserves. The 
magyzines says sech presents is reel pop'lar now. Joey 
is awful taken with 'er — thinks she 's a reg'lar Christmas 
fairy, I guess. Wal, it must be most supper time. Come 
on. [Exeunt.] 

Mrs. Raymond [commg from hekind curtain]. Oh, dear, it 
was shocking of me to listen, but how could I help it ! It 
would have been dreadful if they had known I heard. So 
the boy thinks I 'm an icicle. Well, I have behaved in 
a cold and horrid way. What hearts they have ! I ought 
to be proud to know them and I mean to be as nice as I 
can to them from now on. I shall do my best to make 
this a happy Christmas for us all and I shall even hang 
up my stocking to please them. What would my friends 
say to that ! I am going to show some of that Christmas 
spirit the Bethlehem Babe brought to the world so long 
ago. [Exit.] 

curtain 



ACT II 

The Night Before Christmas 

Scene: As before 

Discovered, Mr. mid Mrs. Stebbins and Mr. and Mrs. Ray- 
mond, all seated. 

Mrs. Raymond. Mrs. Stebbins, I cannot say how much I 
enjoyed your supper. I have never eaten a more delicious 
meal! 

Mr. Stebbins. Wal, ef ye think thet wuz a hummer, jes 
wait 11 we 've hed our Christmas dinner, ter-morrer 
Thet 's goin ' ter be worthy o ' old Santy Claus hisself , by 
heck ! I says ter Tildy, says I, long 's they 's somethin 
in the house ter cook I 'm goin' ter hev a good squar 
meal on Christmas, ef it 's the only one I git 'n the year 
by gum ! 

Mr. Raymond. Really, my friends, I cannot express my grati- 
tude for this warm welcome to us on our stormy journey ! 
This is going to be the most enjoyable Christmas I have 
spent in years, because it seems like old times. I used to 
live on a farm and shall never forget the happy Christmas 
days I spent there. But [rising] what can we do to help 
get ready for to-morrow ? Is n 't there some corn to pop ? 
How about some nuts to crack 1 

Mrs. Raymond [eagerly, as she rises]. Please let us help 
with something; I should love to! 

Mr. Stebbins [rising]. Wal, they 's 'bout a bushel o' but- 
ternuts an' hick'ries ter be cracked, sayin' nuthin' o' 
the corn the folks wants popped. 

Mrs. Stebbins [rising]. Joey wants some strings o' popcorn 
ter deckyrate with. 

Mrs. Raymond. Well, I will string corn. I surely can do 
that. 

[16] 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 17 

Mr. Raymond. Where 's a hammer to tackle those nuts with ? 

[Pulls up sleeves.] 
Mr. Stebbins. Right this way ! [Exeunt.] 

Enter Jake, Mary, Hettie, Tom, and Joe, each carrying 
evergreen. 

Jake. It 's a lucky thing we got these Christmas greens this 

mornin ' 'fore the storm begun. 
Hettie, I should say so ! It 'd be too bad not ter hev 'em 

ter deckyrate with. 
Mary. I sure do love green things at Christmas time ! 
Jake. Oh, Mary, how good o' ye ter say so! [Moves nearer 

to her.] 
Mary. An' why so, indeed? 

Jake. 'Cause then ye must love me. [Smiles at her.] 
Mary. Go long, silly! I wuz meanin' purty green things! 

Come now, let 's git these deckyrations up. 
Tom. Jake, you git up on a chair an' fasten 'em ter the wall. 
Jake. I will ef Mary 11 hold me so 's I don 't fall. 
Mary. Hold ye nothin ' ! I '11 give ye a push on the floor 

ef ye don 't hush up ! 
Joe. I 11 git a cushion fer ye ter fall on ef ye want me to, 

Jake. 
Hettie. Now do be quiet an' git these greens up 'fore the 

city lady comes in! [Jake climbs on chair and hangs 

evergreens on wall. Some can he made into a wreath; 

some can he fastened to string for a festoon, and some 

hunches merely hung on nails over pictures and at hack 

of stage. Hettie can pin some hunches on the curtains. 

Mary directs Jake as he hangs greens, while Tom and 

Joe hand him decorations.] 
Jake. An' now how 's this fer a Merry Christmas? [Looks 

proudly at work, still standing on chair.] 



18 CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

Mary. Sho, we can't tell till ye git down; yer thet green 

we keep gittin' ye mixed up with the deckyrations. [All 

laugh as Jake gets down.] 
Joe. I think it looks jes' fine! We'll hev a lovely time 

ter-morrer with our presents, an' the Christmas dinner, 

an ' thet nice lady f er comp 'ny. 
Hettie. Let 's go help 'er string popcorn, Joey. 
Joe. All right. [Exeunt Hettie and Joe.] 
Tom. Me, too ! I 'm beginnin ' ter like the icick, I swan I be ! 

[Exit.] 
Mary. I think I '11 go wrap up some presents, so 's they '11 

be ready. 
Jake [bashfully], Ma-ry. 
Mary [coldly]. Yes, Mr. Jarley? 
Jake. I — I — [takes handkerchief from pocket, wipes face, 

then stands twisting one corner of handkerchief round 

and round] I — wanter say — somethin'. 
Mary. Yes, Mr. Jarley? 
Jake [shyly moving Clearer], I wanter — say — thet — [Mary 

looks at him scornfully and he jumps hack from her] 

thet — it 's stormin' awful hard. 
Mary [as though surprised]. Is thet so! 
Jake. M-a-ry, be ye — ever goin' — 
Mary. Goin' where? 
Jake. Ter git married ? 
Mary. I should say I be ! My sister married er official in 

the big city o' Chicago, a awful grand man. 
Jake [cast down]. Sho, you don't say! 
Mary. Yes, he 's a p'liceman an' he looks somethin' grand 

in his uniform. I 'm goin' ter git a city man, too — no 

rube fer me! 
Jake [tragically]. I 'm goin' out inter the storm an' perish 

in the cold blast ! [Dashes across stage and runs into 



CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 19 

Hettie, who enters, carrying some broken dishes wrapped 
in paper. She lets dishes crash to ground.] 

Hettie. There, see whut ye made me do! Now my lovely 
teaset 's all smashed ter bits, an' it was Grandma's 
Christmas present! You horrid Jake Jarley ! [She runs 
from stage.] 

Jake [looking ruefidly at broken dishes]. Gee whiz! [To 
Mary] There, ye busted my heart jes' like them dishes 
is busted. [Puts hand on stomach.] 

Mary [scornfidly] . Oh, ye silly thing! Ye don't know yer 
heart from yer stomach. [Goes out haughtily.] 

Jake [wipi7ig first one eye and then the other ivith handker- 
chief]. I — ain't — er feelin' — bad — 'bout my busted 
heart, but — I wisht — I hed thet three dollars back! Ef 
thet cru-el damzell wants any new-mown hay, she kin 
get it out 'n the haycock nex' summer! [Exit.] 

Enter Mrs. Raymond and Joe. 

Mrs. Raymond. What do you want for Christmas, Joey? 

Joe. Oh, a story book, an' a sled, an' — I want a watch, but 
'course I can't hev thet 'cause it costs too much. An' 
they 's one thing I want most o ' all, but I can 't hev thet, 
neither. 

Mrs. Raymond. What is that? 

Joe. Oh, I must n 't talk 'bout thet. Jake says it 's naughty. 
But — mebbe I '11 tell ye ter-morrer, 'cause I — I like ye. 

Mrs. Raymond. All right, Joey. Now you must run to bed, 
so that you will wake early in the morning. Good-night. 

Joe. Good-night, ma'am. [Exit.] 

Mrs. Raymond. What a dear boy ! It 's very strange — he 
reminds me of some one. His face seems familiar, but I 
certainly have never seen him before. [Sighs.] How I 
wish Santa Claus would bring me a boy like that for a 
Christmas present! 



20 CHRI&TMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

Enter Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins, Mr. Raymond, Tom, Hettie, 

and Mary. 

Mr. Stebbins. Now, all you folks git yer stockin 's hung up, 
so 's old Santy kin fill 'em when he comes. 

Mrs. Stebbins. "Wal, I 've got one here fer me an' one fer 
Miss Raymond. [She hangs them up. Each person either 
hangs a stocking on the wall or fastens it to a chair. 
Tom has a long colored one; Mr. Stebbins produces from 
his pocket two colored socks, one 'being for Mr. Raymond. 
Each stocking has its owner's name written on a card and 
pinned on. Each person should make some remark while 
fastening up the stocking, such as, "I hope I 'II find some- 
thin' nice in mine/' ^'Hope I'll git some good candy," 
^' Guess Santy kin tell mine all right," etc.] 

Hettie. I 've hung up Joe's fer 'im. He went ter bed so 's ter 
wake up early. 

Mr. Stebbins. But where 's Jake ? He ain't got his hung up. 
[Shouts] Jake, bring thet 'ere sock here an' hang it, er 
ye won't git no Christmas presents, by heck! 

Enter Jake with sock having long hright top attached. 

Mrs. Stebbins. Wal, Ian' sakes, Jake, ef yer name ain't on 
thet, Santy '11 think it belongs ter one o' the wimmin ! 

Mary. I hope he won't think it 's mine ! 

Jake. Say, now, don't you folks make fun o' my Christmas 
sock, 'cause I 'm hopin' ter git somethin' mighty fine in 
it. [Bangs it up.] 

Enter Grandma, with stocking and basket of packages, 

Mrs. Stebbins. Wal, mother, I wuz jes' thinkin' it 's time ye 
brought yer stockin '. Sakes alive, ye '11 spoil yer eyes, 
workin' so late ! 

Grandma [happily]. Oh, Christmas comes but once a year. 
[Hangs stocking.] Now let 's all sing somethin' 'fore we 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 21 

go ter bed. [All sing ^' While Shepherds Watched their 
Flocks by Night," or some other Christmas song.] ■ 

Mr, Stebbins. Now, them ez wants ter leave their bundles 
here fer ma an' me ter put in the correck stockin's, kin 
do SO; the rest o' ye kin slip down later an' put 'em in ter 
suit yerselves. Only, hands up, no peekin'. [All raise 
hands and cry, ^'No peekin'!"] 

Mr. Raymond. Friends, this is the best time I 've had in 
years ! Now I 'm going to bed, so as to get up early and 
enjoy to-morrow, Christmas on the farm. [Good-nights 
are said, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond exeunt; Tom and Hettie 
bring in packages and exeunt; Grandma sets basket on 
table and retires. Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins exeunt.] 

Jake [bashfully]. Ma-ry. 

Mary [calmly]. Yes, Mr. Jarley? 

Jake. Ye '11 make my Christmas awful merry — ef — ef ye '11 
gimme jes' one thing, 

Mary. An' whut 's thet? 

Jake. A — a — somethin' beginnin' with a "k." 

Mary. Even though ye should need it, let me say, Mr. Jake 
Jarley, I 'm too dignified ter give a man a — kick, 

Jake. Kick ? Who said anything 'bout a kick '? I mean a — 
a — kiss! [Puckers up lips and gives loud smack.] 

Mary. Wal, here 't is. [Smacks her lips at him and runs 
from stage.] 

Jake. Jes' my blame luck! Didn't even hit me! [Exit.] 

Enter Mr, and Mrs. Stebbins. 

Mrs, Stebbins. Now let 's put things in quick, fer I 'm dead 
tired, [They quickly put packages in various stockings. 
Old toys and bundles of paper can be used ta 'make pack- 
ages.] 

Mr. Stebbins. Did ye fix up some reel nice things ter give 
Mr, an ' Miss Raymond ? We don 't want 'em ter feel like 
they didn't git nothin'. 



22 CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

Mrs. Stebbins. Yes, I think they '11 be pleased. Guess we 've 
got things fixed now. [Blows out lamp while Mr. Steb- 
bins lights candle, which they leave hiorning. Boom 
should he darkened so there is as little light an stage as 
possible except the one candle. Exeunt.] 

Enter Joe barefoot, hair rumpled, clothes all awry as though 
pulled on quickly. 

Joe [rubbing eyes]. I wonder ef it's moniin' yit. Which 
is my stockin'? [Looks around.] 

Enter Mrs. Raymond, wearing kimona and cap and carrying 

packages. 

Mrs. Raymond. AVhy, Joe, what are you doing here ? 

Joe. I thought 't wuz mornin'. I want ter see whut Santy 

brought. 
Mrs. Raymond. Oh, it is n 't morning ! The others have just 

gone to bed. 
Joe. I know whut I want most of all, but I can't hev it. I 

want some o' my own folks — my reelly own. 
Mrs. Raymond [gently]. What do you mean? 
Joe. Wy, I don't reelly belong ter these folks. They jes' 

keep me 'cause my mother died. 
Mrs. Raymond [quickly] . What was your mother's name ? 
Joe. Alice Denton. [Mrs. Raymond starts, letting fall pack- 
ages.] It 's down in a book. I 've got 'er picture. 

[Pulls out small bag tied around his neck, takes out little 

picture and shows Mrs. Raymond.] 
Mrs. Raymond. Alice ! My sister ! [Kneels beside Joe, and 

puts arms around him.] Joe, dear, you are my Sister 

Alice's boy. We heard — I thought — you had died too. 

Oh, you dear boy! What a wonderful Christmas gift 

for us! 
Joe [bewildered]. An' can I come ter see ye sometimes, 

please, ma'am? 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 23 

Mrs. Raymond [rising]. You shall go home with me to stay, 
Joe dear! [Puts her arm around his shoulders.] I am 
going to be your mother, dear. 

Joe. Then I don't want no other presents! This is enough. 

Mrs. Raymond. But now you must run back to bed. 
[Gently] Good-night, dear boy! [Exit Joe.] Oh, how 
thankful I am we stopped here ! Suppose we had passed 
him by! [Clasps her hands.] My Alice's son! — But I 
must hurry or some one will come. How nice that I have 
some pretty things with me that I can give these good 
people for gifts! [Gathers up packages and puts them 
in various stockings.] I know this pretty little ring I 
bought this morning will fit Hettie and I have some bills 
that will make useful presents. 

Enter Jake, wearing long dark coat. 

Jake [aside]. Oh, thank my stars, here's Mary! [Mrs. 
Raymond, her hack to him, is putting something into his 
sock.] An' she 's puttin' somethin' in my sock, by gin- 
ger! I bet she kinder likes me, after all. Wisht she 'd 
give me a kiss in place o' the one thet didn't hit me. 
[Goes over softly to Mrs. Raymond.] Oh, Mary, darlin' 
damzell [Mrs. Raymond straightens up], I could jes' die 
o' love fer ye an' ef ye '11 hev me I '11 live on joy ferever. 

Mrs. Raymond [facing him]. Mercy! how you frightened 
me! 

Jake [starting hack]. Great — land o' Goshen, 't ain't Mary! 
Wy, I — excuse me, ma'am — I — 

Mrs. Raymond [laughiiig]. I suppose you took me for Mary 
because I was putting something into your sock. Well, 
don't be discouraged, Mr. Jarley; you will have another 
chance t© woo Mary and [warmly] I hope, win her. 
[Exit.] 

Jake. Shucks! Wasted all thet love-makin' on the wrong 
woman! Wal, I mus' put this bottle o' perfume-ry in 



24 CHEISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 

Mary's stockin' an' git ter bed. [Sets bottle on chair.] 
I b'lieve I '11 jes' write, ''I love ye," at the bottom o' thet 
po 'try. Where 's my lead pencil ? Guess it 's in my 
poeketbook. [Goes over to candle, takes pockethook from 
trousers pocket and hunts for pencil, jingling money as 
he does so.] 

Enter Mary. 

Mary [aside]. Oh, mercy goodness! There's a burglar! 
Been robbin ' us an ' now he 's countin ' the money ! Oh, 
I 'm scart ter death ! But I ain 't goin ' ter let 'im git 
away. Who's 'fraid o' a man? [Runs across stage, 
catches Jake by shoidders, throws him to floor, picks up 
chair and fastens him down with it.] Now, ye mean 
thief, I '11 show ye ! Ye ain 't goin ' ter rob this house on 
Christmas Eve — not while I 'm here ! [ Calls] Thief, 
murder, tire, robbers ! 

Jake. Land o ' Goshen, Mary ! Whut 's the matter ? 
Lemme up ! 

Mary. Oh, oh, mercy, Jake! Hev I hurt ye? [Takes chair 
away. Jake rises slowly and Mary falls against him. He 
puts arm around her.] Oh, I — I 'm scart ter death! 

Jake. No, ye ain't, neither. 

Enter Mr. Stebbins, barefooted and with blanket around him; 
Mr. Raymond iv earing long bath-rohe ; Mrs. Raymond 
and Hettie in kimonas. 

Mr. Stebbins. Whut — whut 's the matter ? House on fire ? 
Mr. Raymond. No, some one said robbers. Are we being 

robbed ? 
Jake [shyly]. It's a — a Christmas mistake. They ain't 

nothin' wrong. 
Hettie. Oh, see where his arm is ! 
Mary [trying to release herself]. Jake, I — I — feel silly 

'nough ter hide — in yer Christmas sock ! 



CHRISTMAS AT STEBBINSES' 25 

Jake [happily]. Oh, Mary, ef ye 'd only do it, it 'd be all the 
present I could ask, now an' forever! 

Mr. Raymond. Hurrah for Jake's Christmas sock! It cer- 
tainly has brought him the best present a man can have. 
But, good folks, it is very late. I move that we all go to 
bed, so we can be ready to-morrow for — 

All. — a Merry Christmas ! 

CURTAIN 



MORNING EXERCISES FOR ALL THE YEAR 

A DAY BOOK FOR TEACHERS 

By Joseph C. Sindelar 

Author of Nixie Bunny in Manners-Land, 

Nixie Bunny in Workaday-Land, etc. 

This is a new work — just published — and the only really complete 
and systematic book of opening exercises that has yet been issued. 
It contains over 300 exercises, arranged day by day, there being an 
exercise for each morning of the ten school months, beginning with 
the first day in September and ending with the last day in June. 
There is an appropriate literary quotation for each day — 303 in all, 
100 interesting stories, anecdotes and recreations, a goodly nmnber 
of poems, many birthday exercises and those of the seasons, special 
day programs, related songs and readings, Bible references, etc. The 
exercises are in endless variety, emphasizing moral principles and 
teaching lessons of proper conduct, right thought, ideals of life, and 
the appreciation of nature, literature, science, and art. Each day 
has its own lesson and an abundance of the best material for use 
therewith. All special days and school occasions, also birthdays 
of noted men and women, are duly recorded and suitably com- 
memorated. The material is for all grades, and the teacher will 
find the book an invaluable aid in her work. 

252 pages. Cloth. Price, 60 cents 

THE BEST CHRISTMAS BOOK 

Edited by Joseph C. Sindelar 

There is nothing better or newer published in the way of Christ- 
mas entertainments. The material contained in this book is fresh 
and original, much of it having been written specially by Marie 
Irish, Harriette Wilbur, and Thos. B. Weaver. There is a wealth of 
new ideas, and a complete program for everyone. It is positively the 
"Best" book of Christmas entertainment exercises published. Ar- 
ranged according to grades. 

The following list of classified contents will show the variety and 
scope of the work. Contents : 82 recitations, 36 quotations, 4 mono- 
logues and readings, 10 dialogues, exercises and plays, 7 fancy drills 
and marches, 4 acrostics and motion songs, 3 tableaux, 4 pantomimes 
and pantomimed songs, 9 songs with music, 8 songs of new words 
to old tunes, 14 facts regarding Christmas and Christmas customs 
in other lands. 

Illustrated. 192 pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents 
BECKLEY-CARDY CO. EducaHonal Publishers CHICAGO 



LANGUAGE GAMES FOR ALL GRADES 

— -^-^— — ^— By Alhambra G. Deming — ^— ^__^ 

Principal Washington School, Winona, Minn. 
With Introduction by J. N. Adee, Supt. of Schools, Johnstown, Pa. 

Designed to establish the habit of correct speech and to increase 
the child's vocabulary. The book contains thirty language games, 
teaching the correct use of troublesome words and forms of expres- 
sion in a pleasant way, and which will serve to eliminate the common 
errors in grammar of oral and written speech among pupils. In his 
introduction Superintendent Adee says: "The use of correct English 
is a habit. To get a habit thoroughly rooted in a child's life takes 
careful drill and constant repetition. Children like to repeat; they 
enjoy doing and saying things over and over again. There are only 
twenty or thirty grammatical errors that persistently occur, and 
if we can put the correct expression for these errors in the form 
of a game, we will have an excellent motive to get these correct 
forms frequently repeated and their use a fixed habit on the part 
of the pupils. This is the purpose of this little book, Language 
Games for All Ch^ades." It is a volume that will be welcomed by all 
progressive teachers. 

90 pages. Cloth. Price, 40 cents 

CARDS TO ACCOMPANY LANGUAGE GAMES FOR ALL GRADES 

Fifty- three cards, size 4V2 x GYz inches, for pupils' use. 
Price, per set, 25 cents 

EASY THINGS TO DRAW 

By D. R. Augsburg 
Prepared particularly as an aid to teachers who lack training in 
drawing, or who may be in need of drawings made in the simplest 
possible way — often with but a few strokes of the crayon or pencil. 
Contains 203 drawings which may be easily transferred to the black- 
board to illustrate lessons on plants, animals, history, geography, 
etc. They will also furnish subjects for stories. Every principle of 
drawing is presented. 

77 large pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents 

BEST PRIMARY SONGS 

By Amos M. Kellogg 
A COLLECTION of nearly sixty songs, suitable for primary and 
intermediate grades, and for ungraded schools. There are morning 
and welcome songs, nature songs, marching and motion pieces, social 
and ethical songs, farewell and closing sentiments, etc. The words 
have been carefully chosen and the music is attractive and simple. 
48 pages. Paper. Price, 15 cents; per dozen, $1.50 

BECKLEY-CARDY CO. Publishers CHICAGO 



THE NIXIE BUNNY BOOKS 

By Joseph C. Sindelar^ 

NIXIE BUNNY IN MANNERS-LAND 
A Rabbit Story of Good Manners 

It can truthfully be said that very few children's books have 
enjoyed anything equal to the great popularity of the Nixie Bunny 
series. From the very first day of publication the success of Nixie 
Bunny in Manners-Land has been phenomenal. It is a rabbit 
fairy story of good manners, and a volume which has been found a 
welcome guest into the realm of animal story books. It is seldom 
that one finds a story which so incorporates the proper training 
along with higher thought, education, and a style which so captures 
the children's interest. The book is full of fun and fancy, and is so 
attractive that even babies like it for its bunny pictures. It has 
been read by over 50,000 children in two years, and is used widely 
as a supplementary reader in the second and third grades. 

The Chicago Evening Post says of Nixie Bunny in Manners- 
Land: "Among books which are made only to sell, this one stands 
out by virtue of its difference. It is made to read, and the children 
will enjoy and profit by it." 

With 64 illustrations in colors and decorated end papers 

144 pages. Cloth binding, stamped in two colors 

Price, 40 cents 

NIXIE BUNNY IN WORKADAY-LAND 
A Rabbit Story of the Occupations 

A companion volume to Nixie Bunny in Manners-Land, and a 
book which alone can rival it in popularity. It is written in tht 
same choice and delightful style, and has been designed to supply 
the little folks with a reader of occupation and industry in the form 
of a fairy tale. 

Henry Turner Bailey, Editor of School-Arts Magazine, and a noted 
art critic, says: "Nixie Bunny in Workaday-Land, by Joseph C. 
Sindelar, with illustrations by Helen Geraldine Hodge, is the suc- 
cessor of that success. Nixie Bunny in Manners-Land. The love of 
children for these rabbits is one of the wonders of the pedagogical 
world!" 

With 90 illustrations in colors and decorated end papers 

144 pages. Cloth binding, stamped in two colors 

Price, 40 cents 

IThe Nixie Bunny books have been adopted by fourteen 
States, by Chicago, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Worcester 
(Mass.), and hundreds of towns and cities all over the 
country, and are cherished by children everywhere. 
Specimen pages mailed free upon request 

BECKLEY-CARDY CO. Educational Publishers CHICAGO 



LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION BY GRADES 

A HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS 

Covering the Eight Grades of Elementary Schools 

By J. M. Hammond 
Principal of Morse School, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

This new work should be in the hands of every elementary school 
teacher, and if so, would go a long way toward meeting the need of 
ready expression in both oral and written language. The author 
believes that if the pupil can be made to feel natural, whatever ideas 
hs has will be freely expressed, and with this in view has prepared 
a series of type lessons in language and composition which are 
bound to revolutionize the teaching of this subject in the average 
schoolroom. 

The book follows well established pedagogical principles and is 
divided into nine parts: one for each of the eight grades, and the 
last a review of the year's work by grades. The material has been 
carefully graded, and more than enough has been presented to cover 
each year's requirements. Much of it has been tried successfully in 
the schoolroom, and is therefore offered with confidence that the 
results will prove most satisfactory. 

The necessity for the frequent review of language principles and 
practice is one reason for combining the eight-years' course in one 
volume. Under this arrangement, the teacher will have ready access 
to what is offered in the other grades, and will therefore not be 
compelled to search continually for supplementary work. Beginning 
with exercises designed to set the young learner at his ease, the work 
is carried along from grade to grade, with proper and frequent 
reviews, until he has finished the eight years, equipped with a good 
working knowledge of expression that should fit him for entrance 
into the high school, or for embarking upon whatever business he 
may choose. Present-day methods call for less technical grammar 
and more actual practice in correct forms, with the statement of 
principles on which correct usage is based, and the author has borne 
that fact in mind throughout the work. 

308 pages. Fully indexed. Cloth. Price, 85 cents 
BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY PubUshers CHICAGO 



SUPPLEMENTARY READERS 

■ FOR ALL GRADES — 

BOW-WOW AND MEW-MEW 
By Georgiana M. Craik. Edited by Joseph C. Sindelar 
Tho story of ti young dog and cat, and one of the few books for 
beginners in reading that may be classed as literature. The story, 
the style, and the moral are all good. 

32 illustrations in colors. 95 pages. Cloth. Price, 30 cents 

THE NIXIE BUNNY BOOKS 
By Joseph C. Sindelar 
Nixie Bunny in Manners-Land — A Rabbit Story of Good Manners 
Nixie Bunny in Workaday-Land — A Rabbit Story of the Occupations 
Nixie Bunny in Holiday-Land — A Rabbit Story of the Holidays 

The Nixie Bunny Books have been read by over 75,000 childi'en 
in two years. They are unsurpassed in popularity by any children's 
books ever published. Adopted as supplementary readers in the 
second and third grades by hundreds of towns and cities all over 
the country, including Chicago, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Worcester 
(Mass.), etc. Sc'ected by fourteen states for reading circle and 
school library purposes. They are interestingly written, attractively 
illustrated, pedagogically arranged, well graded, and teach enough of 
value to pay for the time spent in their reading. Each book has 144 
pages, with from 64 to 90 illustrations in colors. Cloth. Price, 
each, 40 cents. 

THE PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL CLASSICS 

A new series of reading books, which ofl'ers the highest class of 
literature for all grades at very small cost. No other series at so low 
a price contains the valuable features of this series, namely: accurate 
and authentic texts, notes and numbered lines for reference, portraits, 
biographical sketches, illustrations, new type, good paper and bind- 
ing, and convenient size. 

Bow-Bow and Mew^-Mew — Craik — Grades 1-2 — 95 pages (12 cents) 

Peter Rabbit and Other Tales — Grades 2-3 

The King of tlie Golden River — Raskin— Grades 4-6 

Rip Van Winkle and tiie Autlior's Account of Himself — Irving — 

Grades 5-8 
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow — Irving — Grades 5-8 
Tlianatopsis, Sella and Other Poems — Bryant — Grades 5-8 
The Courtship of Miles Standish — Longfellow — Grades 6-8 
The Pied Piper of Hamelin and Other Poems — Browning — Grades 6-8 
Evangeline — Longfellow — Gi-ades 6-8 
The Great Stone Face — Hawthorne — Grades 6-8 
The Man Without a Country — Hale — Grades 6-8 
Snow-Bound and Other Poems — Whittier — Grades 6-8 
Enoch Arden — Tennyson — Grades 6-H. S. 

The Vision of Sir Launfal and Other Poems — Lowell — Grades 6-H. S. 
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner — Coleridge — Grades 7-H. S. 
The Cotter's Saturday Night and Other Poems — Burns — Grades 7-H. S. 
The Deserted Village (Goldsmith) and Elegy — Gray — Grades 7-H. S. 

Price, per copy, 5 cents, postpaid, unless otherwise mentioned 

128-page illustrated Catalogue of Books mailed upon request 

BECKLEY-CARDY CO. Publishers CHICAGO 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 



B 



017 400 641 6 4 




